A generalization of the representational change theory from insight to non-insight problems: the case of arithmetic word problems |
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Authors: | Thevenot Catherine Oakhill Jane |
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Institution: | a FAPSE, University of Geneva, 40, bd du Pont D’Arve, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland b Department of Psychology, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer BN1 9QH, UK |
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Abstract: | This paper provides evidence for a possible generalization of Knoblich and colleagues’ representational change theory Knoblich, G., Ohlsson, S., Haider, H., & Rhenius, D. (1999). Constraint relaxation and chunk decomposition in insight problem solving. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 25, 1534-1555; Knoblich, G., Ohlsson, S., & Raney, G. E. (2001). An eye movement study of insight problem. Memory and Cognition, 29, 1000-1009] outside its original scope of application. While this theory has been proposed to explain insight problem solving, we demonstrate here that its main concepts, namely, constraint relaxation and chunk decomposition, are applicable to incremental problem solving. In a first experiment, we confirm, as already shown by problem solving and reasoning researchers, that individuals avoid the construction of alternative representations of the problems when possible. In the second and third experiments, we show that alternative representations of arithmetic problems are easier to construct and maintain when they violate constraints of narrow rather than wide scope. The specificity of insight problem solving is discussed in the light of these new findings. |
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Keywords: | 2300 Human Experimental Psychology 2340 Cognitive processes 2343 Learning and Memory |
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